Master the Craps Table: Your Ultimate Guide to Playing Craps with Confidence
The craps table often appears as a bustling, high-energy epicenter in any casino, which can initially feel intimidating for newcomers. Its fast-paced action and unique terminology can deter many from enjoying what is widely regarded as one of the most exciting games available. However, understanding the fundamentals of how to play craps is far simpler than it seems.
This comprehensive guide, complementing the insightful video above, aims to demystify the game of craps. We will break down its essential rules, common bets, and crucial table etiquette, providing you with the knowledge to approach the craps table with newfound confidence. Prepare to join the vibrant atmosphere and discover the thrill of a craps game.
Understanding the Craps Table Layout and Essential Etiquette
Before placing your first wager, it is vital to understand the craps table’s operation. The game revolves around a small, circular marker that indicates the game’s current status. When this marker displays “OFF” and is black side up, it signifies that a new game round is about to begin, known as the “come out roll.”
Conversely, if the marker is white side up and reads “ON” positioned on one of the point numbers (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10), the game is actively in progress. In this scenario, patience is key; simply wait a few minutes until the current round concludes. Once the dealer has settled all bets and flipped the marker back to its black “OFF” side, you are ready to engage.
To begin playing, place your cash directly on the table in front of you. Never hand cash directly to the dealer. The dealer will meticulously count your money, announce the amount, and then exchange it for casino chips. Immediately place these chips on the rack located directly in front of your position. Always keep your chips visible and place your bets within your designated area on the table.
Navigating the Core Craps Bets for Beginners
At its heart, craps involves a shooter rolling two dice, with players betting on the outcome. While the table might seem complex, a few fundamental bets form the backbone of the game, making it accessible for anyone to learn how to play craps effectively.
The Pass Line Bet: Betting With the Shooter
The Pass Line bet is perhaps the most fundamental wager in craps. When you bet the Pass Line, you are essentially betting that the shooter will succeed. If the shooter’s initial roll, known as the “come out roll,” results in a 7 or an 11, all Pass Line bets win immediately. Conversely, if the come out roll is a 2, 3, or 12 (known as “craps”), Pass Line bets lose.
Should any other number appear on the come out roll—a 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10—that number becomes the “Point.” The dealer will then flip the marker to its “ON” side and place it on that specific number. The shooter continues to roll the dice until either the Point number is rolled again, in which case Pass Line bets win, or a 7 is rolled, which results in Pass Line bets losing (this is known as “sevening out”).
Taking Odds: The Best Bet in the Casino
Once a Point number has been established, players who have made a Pass Line bet can place an additional wager called “Taking Odds.” This bet is highly advantageous because it has no house edge, meaning the casino holds no statistical advantage on this specific wager. This makes it a critical part of smart craps strategy.
To place this bet, simply put your chips behind your Pass Line bet, just outside the Pass Line area. Casinos vary on how much they allow you to bet in odds—typically two, three, five, or even 100 times your original Pass Line bet. Imagine you bet $10 on the Pass Line and the Point is 5. You can then “take odds” by placing an additional $20 (2x) behind your Pass Line bet. If the 5 hits before a 7, you win both your Pass Line bet and your Odds bet, with the Odds paying at true odds (e.g., 3:2 for a Point of 5 or 9).
The Come Bet: Betting After the Point
The Come Bet operates similarly to the Pass Line bet but is placed after a Point has already been established. You place your chips in the “Come” area, and the very next roll of the dice becomes the “come out roll” for your Come Bet. If this roll is a 7 or 11, your Come Bet wins. If it’s a 2, 3, or 12, your Come Bet loses.
Should any other number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10) appear, that number becomes your personal “Come Point.” The dealer moves your chips from the Come area to the box corresponding to that number. You then win if your Come Point is rolled before a 7, and lose if a 7 is rolled first. You can also “take odds” on your Come Bets, just as you would with a Pass Line bet, further reducing the house advantage on these wagers.
The Don’t Pass Bet: Betting Against the Shooter
For those who prefer to bet against the shooter, the Don’t Pass bet is the direct opposite of the Pass Line. On the come out roll, if a 2 or 3 is rolled, Don’t Pass bets win. If a 7 or 11 is rolled, Don’t Pass bets lose. Interestingly, if a 12 is rolled, Don’t Pass bets result in a push or tie, meaning you keep your money.
If a Point (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) is established, you are now betting that a 7 will be rolled before that Point number. For example, if the Point is 10, your Don’t Pass bet wins if a 7 comes up before a 10. You can also “Lay Odds” behind your Don’t Pass bet, which also has no house edge, by placing chips on top of your Don’t Pass bet in your betting area.
Expanding Your Craps Game: Intermediate Wagers
Once comfortable with the core bets, players might explore additional wagers to add variety to their craps experience. These bets, while offering different odds and excitement, often come with a slightly higher house edge than the Pass/Don’t Pass with Odds.
Place Bets: Directly Betting on Numbers
Place Bets allow you to wager directly on a specific point number (4, 5, 6, 8, 9, or 10) to be rolled before a 7. These bets are handled exclusively by the dealer; you simply tell the dealer which number you want to “place” and give them your chips. For example, you might say, “Place the 6 for $6.”
A key advantage of Place Bets is their flexibility: you can make them at any time during a roll (after a point has been established), and you can also take them down or change them at any time with the dealer’s help. Payouts for Place Bets are structured to be more favorable than some other casino wagers; for instance, a Place Bet on the 6 or 8 pays 7:6, meaning a $6 bet wins $7. A Place Bet on the 4, 5, 9, or 10 pays 7:5, so a $5 bet wins $7.
The Field Bet: A Single-Roll Wager
The Field bet is a simple, one-roll wager located in a prominent area on the craps table. When you bet the Field, you are predicting that the very next roll of the dice will be one of the numbers marked in the Field section (typically 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, or 12). If any of these numbers appear, you win.
Most Field bets pay even money, meaning a $5 bet wins $5. However, the 2 and 12 are often highlighted as special, typically paying double (2:1 odds). So, if you bet $5 on the Field and a 2 or 12 rolls, you would win $10. While straightforward, the Field bet generally carries a higher house edge than Pass/Don’t Pass with Odds, making it a less optimal choice for consistent play.
Exploring High-Risk, High-Reward Proposition Bets
For those seeking heightened excitement and significantly larger payouts, the “Proposition Bets” section of the craps table offers a range of high-risk, high-reward wagers. These are typically one-roll bets with a considerable house edge but can deliver thrilling wins.
Hardways: Specific Pair Rolls
Hardways are bets that specific pairs will roll before a 7 or an “easy” combination of the same number. For instance, a “Hard 8” means two 4s (4+4) must roll. If an easy 8 (like 5+3 or 6+2) or a 7 appears first, the Hardway bet loses. Hard 4 and Hard 10 usually pay 7:1, while Hard 6 and Hard 8 pay 9:1. Imagine you bet on Hard 6. If the dice show two 3s, you win. If they show a 4 and a 2, or a 5 and a 1, you lose, as these are “easy” 6s.
Horn Bets: Betting on the Extremes
A Horn Bet is a one-roll wager that the very next roll will be a 2, 3, 11, or 12. You can bet on one specific number or spread your wager across multiple. If one of these numbers hits, you win big, with payouts ranging from 15:1 for 3 or 11, and 30:1 for 2 or 12. These are thrilling, but remember, the odds are heavily against these specific numbers appearing on any single roll.
Any Craps Bet and C & E Bets
The Any Craps bet is a one-roll wager that a 2, 3, or 12 will appear next, paying 7:1. The “C & E” bet is a combination bet where ‘C’ stands for Any Craps and ‘E’ stands for 11. Players typically bet an equal amount on both, expecting either an Any Craps outcome or an 11. Both offer good odds if they hit, but are designed for short-term excitement rather than sustained strategy due to their high house edge.
Any 7 (Big Red): The High-Risk Siren
Referred to by some as “Big Red,” the Any 7 bet is a one-roll wager that the next roll will be a 7. While a 7 is the most statistically probable outcome on any single roll of two dice, this bet carries the highest house edge of all craps bets, often around 16.67%. Despite its high payout potential and the excitement it generates, it is statistically one of the least favorable bets you can make at the craps table.
Developing Your Craps Strategy: Beyond the Basics
Now that you understand how to play craps, remember that confidence is your greatest asset at the table. While proposition bets offer excitement, a solid strategy often revolves around the Pass/Don’t Pass line bets combined with maximum Odds bets, as these offer the best player odds.
Always manage your bankroll responsibly and consider starting with smaller bets until you are fully comfortable with the game’s flow. Observe other players, learn from the dealers, and never hesitate to ask questions. Dealers are there to facilitate the game and assist players, especially newcomers. With practice and an understanding of these fundamentals, you will confidently navigate the craps table and truly enjoy the dynamic energy of this classic casino game.